Arrangement for connecting a ski pants leg to a ski boot

ABSTRACT

To secure the lower end of a ski pants leg over and in positive engagement with the outer surface of a ski boot, an elastic insert is provided in the pants leg so that it can expand in the circumferential direction and fit closely over the upper portion of the ski boot. A strap with an adjustable buckle is secured to the lower end of the ski pants leg for securing it tightly about the ski boot. Further, for assuring positive engagement, a hook is fixed to the lower end of the ski pants leg so that it can interengage with a part on the ski boot, such as a buckle. The inner surface of the lower end of the ski pants leg can be provided with suction cups or with a material having a high coefficient of friction to enhance the engagement between the lower end of the ski pants leg and the ski boot.

United States Patent 1 1 Selzer [111 3,758,890 1 Sept. 18, 1973 [75] Inventor: Eric Georg Selzer, Vienna, Austria [73] Assignee: EXI Erzeugung von Sportbeitleidung Gesellsehait m.b.ll.

[22] Filed: Sept. 23, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 183,137

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 2, 1971 Austria A 6729/7l 52 us. or. 2/232 [51] Int. Cl A4 ld 1/08 [58] Field of Search 2/232, 232 A, 227; 36/].5, 2.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,312,982 4/1967 Pitman 2/232 3,671,975 6/1972 Vorsteher 2/232 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 204,511 8/l939 Switzerland 2 232 A 1,394.253 2/l965 France 2/232 Primary Examiner-H. Hampton Hunter Attorney--Toren and McGeady [57] ABSTRACT To secure the lower end of a ski pants leg over and in positive engagement with the outer surface of a ski boot, an elastic insert is provided in the pants leg so that it can expand in the circumferential direction and fit closely over the upper portion of the ski boot. A strap with an adjustable buckle is secured to the lower end of the ski pants leg for securing it tightly about the ski boot. Further, for assuring positive engagement, a hook is fixed to the lower end of the ski pants leg so that it can interengage with a part onthe ski boot, such as a buckle. The inner surface of the lower end of the ski pants leg can be provided with suction cups or with a material having a high coefficient of friction to enhance the engagement between the lower end of the ski pants leg and the ski boot.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED EPIBIHH FIG./

FIG. 3

I N VE N TOR. ERIC GEORG SELZER ATToR NEYS F/GE ARRANGEMENT FOR CONNECTING A SKI PANTS LEG TO A SKI BOOT SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to the connection of a ski pants leg to a ski boot and, more particularly, it concerns an arrangement for fitting the lower end of the ski pants leg over the upper part of the ski boot and for providing a positive engagement between the two.

In recent years a new type of ski boot has been developed in which a plastic foam is injected into the interior of the boot and solidifies so that the inner contour of the boot fits exactly to the shape of a foot positioned in the boot when the plastic foam is injected. With ski boots of this type, it is practically impossible to wear conventional ski pants, because the slightest fold in the ski pants leg within the boot causes considerable pain.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide ski pants which are suitable for use with the above-mentioned type of ski boots. Since it is not possible to prevent folds from ocurring in the portions of the ski pants legs which extend into the ski boots, the invention is directed to an arrangement j where the lower end of the ski pants leg fits closely about the exterior of the ski boot. However, positioning the lower end of the ski pants leg on the exterior of the ski boot provides a new problem in anchoring the ski pants leg to the top of the ski boot. Securely anchoring the ski pants leg to the ski boot is difficult because the top of the boot has a greater circumference than the leg and the pants must fit tightly not only about the boot but also about the leg above the boot. To satisfy this tightly fitting characteristic of the ski pants leg, it must be made of an elastic material, at least at its lower end. The ability of the ski pants leg to fit tightly about the boot and about the leg above the boot can be achieved by making the ski pants legs of a highly elastic material or by providing an elastic insert in the lower end of the ski pants leg. Accordingly, it must be possible to enlarge the lower end of the ski pants leg so that it will fit over the boot and then will contract into a tightly fitting engagement about the upper portion of the boot.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, the lower end of a ski pants leg is made expandable so that it can be fitted over the upper end of a ski boot and then placed in tightly fitting contact with the ski boot. The expandability of the ski pants leg can be provided by forming it of a material which is elastic in the circumferential direction of the leg or by placing a circumferentially elastic insert into the leg at its lower end, preferably the insert has a triangular form so that the necessary amount of expandability is obtained about the lower end of the pants leg. In addition, a strap is secured to the lower end of the pants leg for securing it tightly about the boot. The strap may be formed of a inelastic or only slightly elastic material. Further, the lower end of the pants leg is formed so that a positive interengagement is provided between it and an outward projection from the boot. In a preferred embodiment the strap is fixed to the lower end of the ski pants leg and includes an adjustable buckle for assuring a tight fit for the ski pants leg about the boot. A buckle on the ski boot can be used as an outward projection for engagement with the lower end of the ski pants leg or the outward projection on the boot can be provided by a strip secured about the upper edge of the boot. Further, to provide additional positive engagement with the boot, a hook can be secured to the lower end of the ski pants leg so that it can be hooked into a buckle on the ski boot. Other ways of assuring engagement between the ski pants leg and the boot is by forming suction cups about the inner surface of the lower end of the ski pants leg which become effective when the lower end is pressed against the boot by means of the strap. Alternatively, a material having a high coefficient of friction can be provided on the interior of the lower end of the ski pant leg for gripping the outer surface of the ski boot.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a side view of the lower portion of a ski pants leg fitted over the upper portion of a ski boot in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lower end of a ski pants leg as shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a detail view of another embodiment showing the interengagement of the lower end of the ski pants leg and the ski boot.

I DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIG. 1, the lower end 1 of a ski pants leg is pulled over and into tightly fitting engagement with the top 2 of a ski boot 3. To provide the desired expandability in the lower end I of the ski pants leg, a triangularly shaped insert 4 is provided, formed of an elastic material, which can be stretched at least in the circumferential direction of the ski pants leg. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base of the triangularly shaped insert is along the lower edge of the ski pants leg and the other two legs of the triangle converge upwardly along the pants leg. By virtue of the elastic insert, it is possible to stretch the lower end of the ski pants leg to pull it downwardly over the boot and then, when the stretching action is released, the lower end of the ski pants leg fits about the top of the boot. Preferably, the ski pants are made of a more or less elastic material.

Affixed to and extending around a portion of the lower end I of the ski pants leg is a leather band 5 which terminates in a strap 6,7 at each end. Preferably, the strap 6 is sewn to the ski pants leg and is provided with an eye 8 of a buckle 9. At the other end of the band 5, a strap 7 is loose and, as can be seen in FIG. 1, extends over the elastic insert 4 when the ski pants leg is secured to the ski boot 3. On the free end of the strap 7 a toggle lever part 10 of the buckle 9 is provided and, as can be noted in FIG. I, the buckle 9 has the same form as buckles 11 on the boot 3.

On the inside of the ski pants leg at its lower end an other band 12 is provided which supports a plurality of suction cups 13. When the lower end 1 is tightened about the boot by means of the buckle 9, the suction cups 13 provide positive interconnection between the ski pants leg and the ski boot. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the band 12 is not attached to the elastic insert 4. Positioned on the front side of each pants leg is a hook 14 which extends downwardly from the bottom end I and engages the part of buckle 16 on the boot which is located adjacent to and below the lower end of the ski pants leg.

By stretching the lower end 1 of the ski pants leg it can be pulled over the top buckle 17 of the ski boot and when the stretching action is released the lower end can be pressed tightly against the top of the ski boot by closing the buckle 9 attached to the straps 6, 7. When the straps 6 and 7 pull the lower end of the ski pants leg tightly against the upper surface of the boot, the suction cups are pressed into engagement with the boot. The action of the suction cups holds the lower end of the ski pants leg in place and, in a positive manner, prevents the pants leg from sliding up.

As an alternate arrangement, outwardly extending projections can be provided around the upper end of the boots such as is illustrated in FIG. 3. At its upper end, the boot 3 is provided with a reinforced edge 18 which extends outwardly from the adjacent surface of the boot. An inwardly projecting band 19 is provided on the inside of the lower end of the ski pants leg and bears upwardly against the shoulder formed by the lower edge of the reinforced edge 18. The prpoer bearing contact is provided between the band 19 and the reinforcing edge 18 when the straps are secured tightly by the buckle 9 about the lower end of the ski pants leg.

it is not intended that the invention should be limited by the embodiment described and illustrated. In particular, it is not necessary to use all of the different means illustrated for affording the positive engagement between the lower end of the ski pants leg and the top of the boot. it is not necessary that the straps 6 and 7 be secured to the lower edge of the ski pants leg. As an alternative, a conventional leather strap could be used, for example, one with a prong buckle, as is commonly used in belts. The strap securing the lower end of the ski pants leg to the ski boot can be either non-elastic or have only a slight elastic characteristic. As indicated above, preferably the elastic insert 4 is triangular in shape with a width of 6 to 7 cm and it extends for about to 30 cm upwardly along the back of the leg of the ski pants. By making the insert 4 of a highly elastic fabric or knit material, the lower end of the ski pants leg can be pulled downwardly over the upper end of the boot so that it fits tightly about the boot over its circumference. As indicated above, the buckle is adjustable. For adjustability, the arrangement shown in the drawings can be used where the lever 10 has several notches for receiving the eye 8 or another type of adjustable buckle could be used. Further, it is also possible to utilize a non-adjustable buckle which can be adjustably positioned on the strap 7.

Instead of the suction cups 13 formed on the band 12 on the inner surface of the ski pants leg, the band could be formed of a material or covered with a material which has a high coefficient of friction.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

l. A ski pants leg construction for fixing the lower end of the ski pants leg to the outer surface of a ski boot, wherein the improvement comprises that an elastic insert expandable at least in the circumferential direction of said ski pants is fitted into the lower end of the ski pants leg, said elastic insert has a triangular shape with one leg of the triangular shape extending along the edge of the lower end of the ski pants leg and the other two legs extending upwardly and meeting at a point spaced above the edge of the lower end of the ski pants leg and arranged to extend upwardly from the upper end of the ski boot, first means connected to the lower end of said ski pants leg and separate from said insert for encircling the lower end of the ski pants leg and for adjustably securing the lower end of the ski pants leg about the upper part of the boot at a position spaced below the upper edge of the ski boot, and second means for effecting a positive engagement between the lower end of the ski pants leg and the ski boot at a position below the upper end of the ski boot and in the region of said first means so that the lower end of the ski pants leg is held downwardly applying a tensile or downward pull on the ski pants leg.

2. A ski pants leg construction, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first means comprises a strap extending about the lower end of said ski pants leg for holding the lower end against the outer surface of the ski boot.

3. A ski pants leg construction, as set forth in claim 2, wherein an adjustable buckle is secured to said strap for effecting an adjustably tight engagement of the lower end of said ski pants leg with the ski boot.

4. A ski pants leg construction, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said strap is secured over a part of its length to the lower end of said ski pants leg and is free from engagement with said elastic insert.

5. A ski pants leg construction, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second means comprises a hook secured to and extending downwardly from the lower end of said ski pants leg and arranged to effect positive engagement with a part of the ski boot.

6. A ski pants leg construction, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said second means comprises a band secured to and extending along the inner surface of the lower end of said ski pants leg on the opposite side thereof from said strap, said band providing an inward projection for effecting a positive engagement with a portion of the outer surface of the ski boot.

7. A ski pants leg construction, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second means comprises a band secured to and extending about a portion of the inner surface of the lower end of said ski pants leg, said band having an inwardly facing cover formed of a material with a high coefficient of friction and arranged to contact the outer surface of the ski boot.

8. A ski pants leg construction, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second means comprises a band secured to and extending about a portion of the inner surface of the lower end of said ski pants leg, said band having an inwardly facing surface and a plurality of suction cups formed on the inwardly facing surface for contacting the surface of the ski boot and affording positive engagement between the ski boot and the lower end of said ski pants leg.

9. An assembly for providing a positive connection between the lower end of a ski pants leg and aski boot with a multi-buckle closure, comprising an elastic insert expandable at least in the circumferential direction of said ski pants leg and fitted into the lower end of the ski pants leg, said elastic insert arranged so that the lower end of the ski pants leg can be stretched and positioned over and about the upper end of said ski boot at a position spaced below the upper edge of said ski boot,

said elastic insert having a triangular shape with one leg of the triangular shape extending along the edge of the lower end of said ski pants leg and the other two legs extending upwardly and meeting at a point spaced above the lower end of the ski pants leg and located upwardly from the upper edge of the ski boot so that the insert causes the pants leg to fit closely about the wearers leg, a strap secured to and extending about the lower end of said ski pants leg and said strap being separate from said insert, an adjustable buckle secured to said strap for tightly engaging the lower end of said ski pants leg about said ski boot, a first projection located on and extending outwardly from the outer surface of said ski boot, a second projection located on and extending inwardly from the inwardly facing surface of the lower end of said ski pants leg, said strap arranged on the lower end of said ski pants leg so that said strap and the lower end of said ski pants leg so that said strap i and the lower end of said ski pants leg overlap said first projection on said ski boot with said second projection on said ski pants leg positioned below said first projection for effecting a positive engagement between said ski pants leg and said boot for positively preventing the lower end of said ski pants leg from upward displacement from said boot.

10. An assembly, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said first projection comprises a outwardly projecting edge formed at least about a portion of the upper end of said ski boot, and said second projection comprises a band secured to and extending inwardly from the inner surface at the lower end of said ski pants leg so that said band fits below and bears upwardly against said reinforcing edge on said ski boot when the lower end of said ski pants leg is secured about said ski boot by buckling said strap. 

1. A ski pants leg construction for fixing the lower end of the ski pants leg to the outer surface of a ski boot, wherein the improvement comprises that an elastic insert expandable at least in the circumferential direction of said ski pants is fitted into the lower end of the ski pants leg, said elastic insert has a triangular shape with one leg of the triangular shaPe extending along the edge of the lower end of the ski pants leg and the other two legs extending upwardly and meeting at a point spaced above the edge of the lower end of the ski pants leg and arranged to extend upwardly from the upper end of the ski boot, first means connected to the lower end of said ski pants leg and separate from said insert for encircling the lower end of the ski pants leg and for adjustably securing the lower end of the ski pants leg about the upper part of the boot at a position spaced below the upper edge of the ski boot, and second means for effecting a positive engagement between the lower end of the ski pants leg and the ski boot at a position below the upper end of the ski boot and in the region of said first means so that the lower end of the ski pants leg is held downwardly applying a tensile or downward pull on the ski pants leg.
 2. A ski pants leg construction, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first means comprises a strap extending about the lower end of said ski pants leg for holding the lower end against the outer surface of the ski boot.
 3. A ski pants leg construction, as set forth in claim 2, wherein an adjustable buckle is secured to said strap for effecting an adjustably tight engagement of the lower end of said ski pants leg with the ski boot.
 4. A ski pants leg construction, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said strap is secured over a part of its length to the lower end of said ski pants leg and is free from engagement with said elastic insert.
 5. A ski pants leg construction, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second means comprises a hook secured to and extending downwardly from the lower end of said ski pants leg and arranged to effect positive engagement with a part of the ski boot.
 6. A ski pants leg construction, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said second means comprises a band secured to and extending along the inner surface of the lower end of said ski pants leg on the opposite side thereof from said strap, said band providing an inward projection for effecting a positive engagement with a portion of the outer surface of the ski boot.
 7. A ski pants leg construction, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second means comprises a band secured to and extending about a portion of the inner surface of the lower end of said ski pants leg, said band having an inwardly facing cover formed of a material with a high coefficient of friction and arranged to contact the outer surface of the ski boot.
 8. A ski pants leg construction, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said second means comprises a band secured to and extending about a portion of the inner surface of the lower end of said ski pants leg, said band having an inwardly facing surface and a plurality of suction cups formed on the inwardly facing surface for contacting the surface of the ski boot and affording positive engagement between the ski boot and the lower end of said ski pants leg.
 9. An assembly for providing a positive connection between the lower end of a ski pants leg and a ski boot with a multi-buckle closure, comprising an elastic insert expandable at least in the circumferential direction of said ski pants leg and fitted into the lower end of the ski pants leg, said elastic insert arranged so that the lower end of the ski pants leg can be stretched and positioned over and about the upper end of said ski boot at a position spaced below the upper edge of said ski boot, said elastic insert having a triangular shape with one leg of the triangular shape extending along the edge of the lower end of said ski pants leg and the other two legs extending upwardly and meeting at a point spaced above the lower end of the ski pants leg and located upwardly from the upper edge of the ski boot so that the insert causes the pants leg to fit closely about the wearer''s leg, a strap secured to and extending about the lower end of said ski pants leg and said strap being separate from said insert, an adjustable buckle secured to said strap For tightly engaging the lower end of said ski pants leg about said ski boot, a first projection located on and extending outwardly from the outer surface of said ski boot, a second projection located on and extending inwardly from the inwardly facing surface of the lower end of said ski pants leg, said strap arranged on the lower end of said ski pants leg so that said strap and the lower end of said ski pants leg so that said strap and the lower end of said ski pants leg overlap said first projection on said ski boot with said second projection on said ski pants leg positioned below said first projection for effecting a positive engagement between said ski pants leg and said boot for positively preventing the lower end of said ski pants leg from upward displacement from said boot.
 10. An assembly, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said first projection comprises a outwardly projecting edge formed at least about a portion of the upper end of said ski boot, and said second projection comprises a band secured to and extending inwardly from the inner surface at the lower end of said ski pants leg so that said band fits below and bears upwardly against said reinforcing edge on said ski boot when the lower end of said ski pants leg is secured about said ski boot by buckling said strap. 